Chips and Crackers Education and Training

Learn the business of chips and crackers

Chips and crackers are a staple of the American and international diets. Whether as the basis for an appetizer, a quick snack or part of a larger meal, chips and crackers are eaten  throughout the world. This has of course spawned many brands of crackers and potato chips, giving the industry a robust place in many economies.

But before you call up a potato chip manufacturer in search of a job, there are some things you should learn about the industry. Whether you want to sell wholesale crackers and wholesale potato chips, or you want to work for a private label potato chip manufacturer, it's smart to gain a comprehensive overview of the business from the farmers to the consumers.

1. Tour a few factories as part of your chips and crackers education and training.

2. Attend chips and crackers association trade shows and training sessions.

3. Read chips and crackers industry reports so that you gain knowledge on everything from cracker manufacturers to private label potato chips.

 

Educate yourself on chips and crackers factory operations

The business of making chips and crackers for the public is all about mass producing the items. Take the time to go to a few factories and tour the operations. Not only will you see the scale of the operations, but you'll get an appreciation for multiple aspects of the business from when the food arrives from the wholesaler until it is packaged, boxed and shipped to the stores.
Try: Check out the website for Cape Cod Potato Chips. They offer an inviting tour of their factory via video right on their website. If you can make the trip to the Cape, seeing it in person is even better as you'll familiarize yourself with the large scale industrial machine required to run a business. Herr's Company also offers a factory tour as well as an interactive slide show on their website.

Go to chips and crackers educational courses held at trade shows

There are a multitude of trade shows throughout the year in which the chips and crackers industry has a presence . By attending these trade shows you'll be able to attend educational panels and seminars about the state of the industry, new technology and where the future lies. Your best bet is to find food expositions in your area where manufacturers are attending.
Try: Check out the website for the Snack Food Association. They offer a comprehensive look at the chip and cracker industry through published reports. They also hold a yearly expo with seminars and panels on the state of the industry. Attend food safety training held by the American Institute of Baking. In association with the Snack Food Association, the American Institute of Baking holds training sessions on how to properly operate large scale chip and cracker manufacturing with regards to health.

Read industry reports on chips and crackers

When trying to gain an overview of the chips and crackers business, it's advisable to read industry reports for both the United States and the entire world. This will give you an overview of the sales trends, what people are snacking on and where there's room for growth in the chips and crackers industry. Reports are usually published yearly or bi-yearly.
Try: Read industry reports on the snack food industry which includes chips and crackers. IBIS World offers a yearly comprehensive report on everything from marketing to sales trends, consumption and more. The Bharat Book Bureau also offers a comprehensive report on the industry that spans the globe.

 

• For a successful career dealing in the business of chips and crackers, it's advisable to hold a degree in food science, marketing or business. These degrees will give you an entrance into the business in every aspect from wholesale sales, to testing new products and ultimately marketing things like wholesale tortilla chips to the public.

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